Housing and Justice System Connections
CSH works to break the cycle of justice-system involvement and institutionalization. We advance innovative programs and models, systems change, and policy advocacy so that individuals impacted by the justice and carceral systems can access affordable housing and supportive services.
The Problem: In many communities, there is an overreliance on the justice and carceral systems because of a lack of fair, humane, and equitable systems for people facing complex barriers to housing. Historically, these systems have not provided the resources and supportive services that people need to thrive, instead favoring punishment and incarceration for people experiencing homelessness. Responding with policing and incarceration is often more costly to taxpayers, and traumatic for those who cycle through these systems.
The Solution: Communities must move away from institutionalization and instead focus on providing secure, stable housing and trauma-informed services. CSH collaborates with public systems and departments of corrections, service providers, policymakers, people with lived experience, landlords, and broad sector partners to break the cycle. We champion innovative programs and models, systems change, and policy advocacy.
What do we mean by “carceral” system?
The term “carceral system” is a far more accurate but less widely used or understood than the term “Criminal Justice System.” According to UC Berkeley’s Underground Scholars Language Guide, it’s best understood as a comprehensive network of systems that rely, at least in part, on the exercise of state-sanctioned physical, emotional, spatial, economic, and political incarceration. These systems include formal institutions such as law enforcement and the courts (i.e., jails and prisons), surveillance and data mining technology, and more.
CSH’s Justice Initiatives, Case Studies, and Housing Interventions
We collaborate across sectors to break the cycle of justice-system involvement.
CSH has worked alongside communities for decades as they have constructed models to expand housing access for people impacted by the justice system.
Below are some examples of CSH’s justice initiatives, case studies, and housing interventions that we have worked on over the years.
Returning Home Ohio & Community Transition Program
These programs connect people exiting jail or prison who have a mental illness or substance use disorder with housing and services. Year after year, less than 9% of people served by RHO or CTP return to incarceration. Contact us to explore launching Returning Home or Community Transition in your state.
Justice Involved Supportive Housing
The Justice Involved Supportive Housing (JISH) provides service and operating funding for housing and service providers who serve individuals with histories of homelessness, and behavioral health needs cycling through the justice system.
Hi-Five Initiative
This pilot program serves Philadelphians with a mental illness who are cycling between the justice system and homelessness, by providing affordable, supportive housing and service interventions such as mental health case management and counseling.
Denver Supportive Housing Social Impact Bond Initiative
Urban Institute published results of a rigorous five-year program in Denver, CO, that deployed the Social Impact Bond (SIB) model with randomly selected participants divided into intervention (receiving housing and services) and control groups. At the end of the study, 77% of the more than 700 individuals in the intervention group remained stably housed and had notably reduced interactions with the justice system.
FUSE
Frequent Users Systems Engagement (FUSE), helps communities break the cycle of homelessness and crisis among individuals with complex medical and behavioral health challenges who are the highest users of emergency rooms, jails, shelters, clinics and other costly crisis services.
Fortune Castle Gardens
Fortune Castle Gardens, located in Harlem, New York, combines permanent supportive and affordable housing, serving both justice-impacted individuals and community members with low incomes.
Housing Justice Requires Racial Equity
The data shows that Black, Indigenous and other People of Color (BIPOC) are disproportionally represented in the justice system. Systemic racism exists at every stage of the justice system. Our Racial Disparities and Disproportionality Index (RDDI) looks at a racial/and or ethnic group’s representation in institutional systems to examine the systematic differences between groups and geographies. Understanding these disparities helps communities more create effective solutions.
Embedding Lived Experience
Lived expertise is central to all the work we do. By embedding lived experience in our work, we centralize the voices of those most impacted by homelessness and involvement in systems to help design solutions that address the root causes of homelessness and enable dignity. CSH programs such as Speak Up! aim to raise the voices and wisdom of people with lived experiences of homelessness, justice involvement, and mental illness.
Resources and Toolkits
Systems Change
October 30, 2024
Our work in supportive housing has shown repeatedly that people with incarceration histories can be successful tenants when connected with appropriate housing and services. Further,…
Systems Change
October 30, 2024
This guide helps supportive housing providers improve their relationships with local law enforcement. Fostering positive relationships between supportive housing staff and law enforcement can lead…
Affordable Housing
March 5, 2024
Supportive Housing (SH) is an evidence-based solution that combines permanent affordable housing with tenant-centered support services to help people who face complex health challenges, including…
Best Practices
November 6, 2023
This template is a resource for housing providers and property managers to use as they implement a background screening process that reduces bias and lowers…
Systems Change
November 6, 2023
This resource supports housing providers interested in implementing practices that promote more inclusivity and reduce applicant denials based on conviction history with the intention to…
Systems Change
November 6, 2023
This resource presents frequently asked questions and answers regarding inclusive background screening processes. This FAQ resource addresses the most common concerns when building more inclusive…